FAO recommends eating insects as a way to fight hunger

The United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) recommends eating insects to fight hunger. Grasshoppers, ants and other species can be a good source of food for humans or livestock and pets, according to a report of 200 pages. The FAO says that about 2,000 million people in the worldsupplement their diets with insects, as these have a high amount of protein and minerals. In addition, consumption has a positive environmental impact. Insects are "extremely efficient" to convert food into edible meat, says UN agency. On average, they can transform two kilograms of feedper kilogram of insect mass. Possibly the most insects generates less greenhouse gases harmful to the environment; also feed on the waste of man and could waste as inputs for agriculture, FAO said. However, United Nations says that with mechanization of agricultural production could increase insect. For example, the field of fishing baits for insects reared for long. "Insects are everywhere and reproduce rapidly "plus they have" low environmental impact ", according to FAO. Protein and nutrients provide high quality compared to meat and fish, and are "particularly important as a nutritional supplement for malnourished children," he said. Insects can also be rich in copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and are a source of fiber. The agency stressed that its Edible Insects Program also examines the potential of arachnids, like spiders and scorpions , although strictly speaking they are not insects. University biologists have analyzed the nutritional value of edible insects, some of which as certain beetles, ants, crickets and grasshoppers come to lean red meat or grilled fish in terms of protein content per gram. But are tasty insects? The report notes that some caterpillars in South Africa and weaver ants eggs in Southeast Asia are considered delicacies and reach high prices. Those deemed unthinkable insect consumption should know that people inadvertently ingested in many ways.